ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Cabinet condoles the sad demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India
Two minutes silence observed in the memory of Shri Pranab Mukherjee
The Union Cabinet condoled the sad demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India.
Cabinet also observed silence for two minutes in the memory of Shri Pranab Mukherjee.
The Cabinet today passed the following resolution:
“The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow at the sad demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India.
In his passing away, the country has lost a distinguished leader and an outstanding parliamentarian.
Shri Pranab Mukherjee, 13th President of India was a man of unparalleled experience in governance who served as Union Foreign, Defence, Commerce and Finance Minister.
Born on December 11, 1935 in the small village of Mirati in Birbhum District of West Bengal, Shri Mukherjee acquired a Master’s degree in History and Political Science as well as a degree in Law from the University of Kolkata. He then embarked on his professional life as a college teacher and journalist. Inspired by his father’s contribution to the national movement, Shri Mukherjee started his full time public life following his election to Rajya Sabha in 1969.
Shri Mukherjee served as Deputy Minister, Industry; Shipping and Transport, Steel and Industry and Minister of State for Finance during 1973-75. He assumed office as Finance Minister of India for the first time in 1982 and was Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985. He became Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from 1991 to 1996; concurrently Minister for Commerce from 1993 to 1995 and Minister of External Affairs from 1995 to 1996; Minister of Defence from 2004 to 2006. He again served as Minister of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009 and Minister of Finance from 2009 to 2012. He was Leader of House in Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2012.
Shri Pranab Mukherjee assumed office of the President of India on July 25, 2012 and served his full term of five years. As President, Shri Mukherjee lent dignity to the high office and brought to bear his scholarly and humanitarian outlook on national and international affairs.
A prolific reader, Shri Mukherjee has authored several books on the Indian Economy and on Nation Building. The many awards and honours conferred on him include the Best Parliamentarian Award in 1997, Padma Vibhusan in 2008 and India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 2019.
Shri Mukherjee has left his imprint on our national life. In his death the country has lost a distinguished national leader, accomplished Parliamentarian and a tall statesman.
The Cabinet records its deep appreciation of the services of Shri Pranab Mukherjee to the nation and extends its heartfelt condolences to the members of his bereaved family on behalf of the Government and the entire nation.”
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Celebrity Endorsements
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, which examined the Consumer Protection Bill, 2015, has recommended for a fine of Rs. 10 lakhs and imprisonment up to two years or both for first time offence and fine of Rs. 50 lakhs and imprisonment for five years for second time offence against endorsers of misleading advertisements. The recommendations are under consideration of the Government.
Under the Legal Metrology  Rules, 2011, the Central Government has issued instructions permitting manufacturers or packers or importers of pre-packaged commodities to declare the changed retail sale price  on the unsold stock manufactured/packed/imported prior to 1st July, 2017 after inclusion of the increased amount of tax due to GST, if any, in addition to the existing MRP , for three months with effect from 1st July, 2017 to 30th September, 2017, by way of stamping or putting sticker or online printing. Further, for reducing the MRP, a sticker with the revised lower MRP  may be affixed and the same shall not cover the MRP declaration made by the manufacturer or the packer or importer, as the case may be, on the label of the package.
The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Legal Metrology  Rules, 2011 provide for penalty for violation of the provisions.
The Department of Revenue has set up a helpline to address the queries/complaints related to GST. In the Department of Consumer Affairs, the grievances/complaints related to GST are handled by the National Consumer Helpline.
This information was given by Shri C. R. Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, today.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s meeting with Mrs. Gina Rinehart AO, Executive Chairman, Hancock Prospecting Group, Roy Hill, S. Kidman & Co
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Mrs. Gina Rinehart AO, Executive Chairman, Hancock Prospecting Group, Roy Hill, S. Kidman & Co on 23 May 2023 in Sydney, Australia.
Prime Minister highlighted the transformative reforms and initiatives being undertaken in India and invited her to partner in technology, investment and skilling in the mining and minerals sector.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Catch the Rain Awareness Campaign
Jal Shakti Abhiyan-II could not be taken up in 2020 due to restrictions imposed by Covid-19 Pandemic. However, to keep its continuity, National Water Mission  launched – “Catch the Rain” campaign with tagline “Catch the Rain – where it falls, when it falls” in last year in all districts of the country, including all districts in Gujarat, to nudge the states and all stake-holders to create Rain Water Harvesting Structures  suitable to the climatic conditions and sub-soil strata with the people’s active participation.
"Catch the Rain" campaign has evoked a very good response across the country and is being supported by Ministries/ Departments of Central and State Government, Airport Authority of India, Railways, Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, universities, educational institutions including IITs & IIMs, Central Public Sector Enterprises, banking institutions etc.
As a preparatory step for the "Jal Shakti Abhiyan -II" campaign to be taken up in all districts in 2021, a 3 month long, massive awareness drive "JSA-II- Catch The Rain"', in collaboration with the "Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan", was launched on 21st December 2020 involving Youth Clubs in 623 districts across the country, including 25 districts of Gujarat.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
“Make Innovation a national movement”: Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad
The Minister for Electronics & IT, Communications and Law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad inaugurated the National Showcase and Felicitation Ceremony here today as a part of the National Challenge titled ‘Ideate for India - Creative Solutions using Technology,’ organised by Ministry of Electronics & IT. The top 50 team were selected based on their ideas and working prototype solutions.
Speaking on the occasion, he called on the winner innovators to work towards making innovation a national movement. He said young India must inculcate a spirit of innovation and empowerment among under privileged youth and this movement can fulfill Prime Minister's dream of creating digital India having exemplary governance and leadership qualities.
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Prime Minister has given a call for Five Trillion Dollar Indian Economy by 2024. “Our Ministry in interaction with Industry has identified trillion-dollar opportunity in digital space itself and has also carved out the areas where we need to introduce digital emerging technologies such Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Data Analytics, Geo-Spatial, Drone, Blockchain, 3D Printing, etc in a big way. The identified priority sectors are Agriculture, Health, Education, Logistics etc. Future Skills that is training our workforce on emerging technologies is also an important area,” he said.
The government is promoting Start-ups in a significant way. Ministry of Electronics and IT has recently initiated MeitY’s Start-up Hub programme, wherein support to 51 Incubators and 2,000 Technology Start-ups are envisaged.
The main aim of the National Challenge was to give school students across the country an opportunity to translate their ideas to a working solution or prototype. The theme areas included healthcare services, education services, digital services, environment, women safety, traffic, infrastructure, agriculture, social welfare, disability and tourism. The Challenge was designed and launched by the National e-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology in collaboration with Intel India, with support from the Department of School Education and Literacy , and Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The National Challenge was open to students of classes 6 - 12 all across the country. 1,33,661 students registered for this Challenge from 1,160 schools across India  out of which 360 ideas were picked up. Four regional tech-creation boot camps were organized in North, West, South and East zones wherein students were trained by technology experts and mentors. The demonstrated prototypes included  Carbon Controller  A smart automated BOT to maintain health, clean surface and deep water weeds in ponds and lakes,  Systems to preserve water,  Planting tree seeds using a drone)  health-related solutions  and  Municipal related solutions .
Ministry of Minority Affairs
PRADHAN MANTRI JAN VIKAS KARYAKRAM IN KERALA
The Government implements various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every strata, including minorities, specially the economically weaker and lesser privileged sections of the society, through various schemes of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Rural Development. Ministry of Minority Affairs specifically implements various schemes across the country for socio-economic and educational empowerment of the six  centrally notified minority communities.
Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram , a total of 19 community infrastructure projects with total projects cost Rs. 129.93 Crore have been approved during the year 2020-21 to 2022-23 in the State of Kerala.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram  was restructured and implemented with effect from May, 2018, so as to reduce gaps, if any, in the socio-economic parameters in 1300 identified areas of the country. An evaluation study of PMJVK conducted by the NITI Aayog in the year 2020-2021, observed that the scheme was helpful in bridging the development deficit in the identified areas of the country and had contributed in up-gradation of school infrastructure, providing additional classrooms, new hostels, Community Health Centres , Primary Health Centres , Industrial Training Institutes , polytechnics, skill training centres, etc. The restructuring of the programme in the year 2018-19 has brought in significant improvement with a greater focus on women-centric projects. It was, inter alia, recommended by the NITI Aayog to increase coverage of the scheme, to ensure that projects should reach the minority communities across all States/UTs.
In the State of Kerala, 41 projects/ units have been approved under PMJVK during the last three years i.e. 2019-20 to 2021-22 and current year 2022-23. As per the information submitted by the State Government from time to time, 4 projects/ units have been completed and work is ongoing in 14 projects/units. Work has not started in 23 projects/ units.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
PIB Headquarters
Temporary disconnection date of BSNL Postpaid Mobile Services
General Manager for Mobile Services BSNL Kerala Circle has informed that all GSM Postpaid customers have to pay their Mobile Bill dated 03-12-2017, before 26th December 2017 to enjoy continued service.
ND ERL: 317
(Visitor Counter : 136
Special Service and Features
867 gramsof gold worth Rs.39.82 lakhsseized by Chennai Air Customs.
Based on intelligence,one Bismillah Khan, 21 of Thanjavur and one lady, HepsibeulaKartheesan, 30 of Tenkasi,who arrived from Dubai by Air India flight AI-906,were intercepted at the exit on suspicion of carrying gold.On their personal search six bundles of gold paste weighing 992 grams were recovered from rectum. On extraction 867 grams of gold valued at Rs. 39.82 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act.
Total 867 grams of gold worth Rs.39.82 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act in two cases.
Further investigation is under progress.
This stated press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Payroll Reporting in India – A Formal Employment Perspective
The National Statistical Office , Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the press note on Employment Outlook of the country covering the period September, 2017 to April, 2022 based on the administrative records available with selected government agencies to assess the progress in certain dimensions.
A detailed note is annexed.
Special Service and Features
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin Transforming Lives and Empowering Women
Over 3 Crore Pucca Houses constructed in Rural Areas in last 9 years
Housing is universally recognized as a basic human need. Reducing rural housing shortage and improving the quality of housing, especially for the poor is an important component of the poverty alleviation strategy of the Government.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Government of India committed to building and providing pucca houses to change the living conditions of poor people in rural areas, and launched thePradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin in 2016.
So far, over 3.04 Crore pucca houses have been built in rural areas in the last nine years. Among the houses targeted for building under PMAY , 75% belong to the ST, SC or Minority communities. Further,7 out of 10 housesare either solely or jointly owned by women, which in turn has fulfilled the aspirations of women of owning a pucca house and strengthened their participation in the financial decision-making of the household.
Houses built under PMAY-G have provision of basic amenities like toilet, electricity, piped drinking water, clean & efficient cooking fuel , etc. When people actively participate in building their own houses and have access to these amenities, they feel a strong connection to their homes, making it a place where they truly belong and feel emotionally attached.
As is evident, PMAY-G has shown significant progress since its inception. The scheme has adopted measures to increase the pace of house completion, including timely allocation of targets, monitoring using IT tools, regular reviews, and timely release of funds. It has also focused on quality construction by training rural masons and providing region-specific house designs.
To see the State-wise list of houses completed under PMAY-G, CLICK HERE
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 31.69 Crore vaccine doses provided by Government of India to States/UTs
More than 1.15 crore doses still available with States/UTs to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalisation of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
More than 31.69 crore  vaccine doses have been provided by Government of India to States/UTs so far, through Government of India  and through direct state procurement category.
Of this, the total consumption, including wastages is 30,54,17,617 doses .
More than 1.15 crore  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Finance
GST Council’s decisions regarding Law and Procedure related changes
The 38th meeting of the GST Council met under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman here today. The meeting was also attended by the Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Shri Anurag Thakur besides Finance Ministers of States & UTs and senior officers of Ministry of Finance. The GSTCouncil recommended the following:
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- Grievance Redressal Committees  will be constituted at Zonal/State level with both CGST and SGST officers and including representatives of trade and industry and other GST stakeholders . These committees will address grievances of specific/ general nature of taxpayers at the Zonal/ State level.
- Due date for annual return in FORM GSTR-9 and reconciliation statement in FORM GSTR-9C for FY 2017-18 to be extended to 31.01.2020.
- Following measures would be taken to improve filing of FORM GSTR-1:
- waiver of late fee to be given to all taxpayers in respect of all pending FORM GSTR-1from July 2017 to November 2019, if the same are filed by 10.01.2020.
- E-way Bill for taxpayers who have not filed their FORM GSTR-1 for two tax periods shall be blocked.
- Input tax credit to the recipient in respect of invoices or debit notes that are not reflected in his FORM GSTR-2A shall be restricted to 10 per cent of the eligible credit available in respect of invoices or debit notes reflected in his FORM GSTR-2A.
- To check the menace of fake invoices, suitable action to be taken for blocking of fraudulently availed input tax credit in certain situations.
- A Standard Operating Procedure for tax officers would be issued in respect of action to be taken in cases of non-filing of FORM GSTR 3B returns.
- Due date of filing GST returns for the month of November, 2019 to be extended in respect of a few North Eastern States.
- The Council also approved various law amendments which will be introduced in Budget 2020.
[This note presents the decision of the GST Council in simple language for easy understanding which would be given effect through Gazette notifications/ circulars which alone shall have force of law. The same will be made effective from the date as specified in such notifications / circulars.]
Ministry of Railways
Zero based Time Table
Rationalisation of time table is an ongoing process on Indian Railways  and to this end, IR has embarked upon the zero based time tabling initiative, which, inter-alia, includes scheduling of trains based on scientific principles, ensuring adequate corridor blocks for maintenance, increasing throughput by providing freight corridors, improving punctuality, improving utilization of Rolling Stock and providing convenient and efficient services to the passengers. The initiative, inter-alia, includes rationalization of stoppages and trains taking into account the demand, utility for the passengers and commercial viability. One of the aspects of the initiative will be the gradual introduction of the hub and spoke concept with a view to facilitating easy transfers between “hubs” and “spoke” and inter-modal connectivity. The concept also entails provision of integrated ticketing, access for persons with disability, leisure facilities, check-in facilities, transfer/transit facilities, and amenities such as travelators, escalators, elevators etc., at identified stations designated as “hubs”.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Expert Committee on Cantonments
The expert committee set up to analyse the problems faced by people living in cantonment regions has submitted its report. The committee has submitted its report on the following:-
- Democratizing the governance structure of Cantonment Boards;
- Building Bye-Laws and Floor Space Index;
- Cantonment Board Finances;
- Land Tenures and their Management;
- Service Charges;
- Smart Cantonments;
Following steps have been undertaken to implement the recommendations of the report:
- The Ministry vide its order dated 10.12.2019 has defined the “repairs” of building in Cantonment areas which will not require notice for sanction of erection or re-erection under Section 235 of Cantonment Act, 2006.
- Necessary directions to all the Cantonment Boards have been issued on 07.11.2019 regarding construction of w.c/toilet in authorised tenements in Cantonment areas.
- The Ministry vide its letter dated 23.12.2019 has issued advisory to all Cantonment Boards to constitute three more Committees viz. the Finance Committee, Education Committee and the Health & Environment Committee under section 48 of the Cantonment Act, 2006 and also advised all Cantonment Boards to suitably amend their Business Regulations for constitution of said Committee consistent with the Composition, and delegate roles & responsibilities and functions suggested by the Government.
With respect to Central Government Schemes relating to development of infrastructure and social welfare in Cantonment areas, Ministry has taken up the matter with all concerned nodal Ministries and State Governments to issue suitable instruction to institutionalize implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in Cantonment areas.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Rajendra Agrawal in Lok Sabha today.
ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy
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Ministry of Tribal Affairs
National Education Society for Tribal Students , to celebrate its 04th Foundation Day on 2nd April, 2022 in Jharkhand
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda to lead the celebrations
National Education Society for Tribal Students , an autonomous organization established under Ministry of Tribal Affairs  is celebrating its 04th Foundation Day on 2nd April, 2022 at Tribal Culture Centre, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda shall be gracing the event as Chief Guest.
NESTS commenced its journey four years back aimed at providing high quality education to the tribal students in their own environment. In its short journey since 2019, NESTS has so far approved achieved many milestones and has approved 391 new schools. The construction is in progress in 140 schools and 123 schools have become functional. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and NESTS have targeted to complete construction of all 452 new schools and pending 67 schools under the old scheme by 2025. These schools will have state of the art facilities on the lines of Navodya Vidyalaya. The quality of construction is being monitored by NITs and IITs of the respective State and by the dedicated team of officers at NESTS through an online monitoring mechanism developed.